August 31^st 2011   19thWCA Public Safety Meeting

In Beechwood the CPOs and community together have put the resources of probation and parole at burglary incidents.  The RPD has  partnered  with specific neighborhoods.  Flyering, \community involvement and  working with neighbors is a multiplier when combating crime.  

Thurston and Roslyn corner store has been the scene of problems and drugs sales in the vicinity.  Blue light camera has been installed.  The question was asked if the camera Is being monitored and how does the monitoring work . Ask NSC office about that store.

On Hawley Street at a drug housea portable camera was set-up.

There are unintended consequences to cameras because the drug traffic moves elsewhere out of the cameras range.  

Gangs: (which are now apparently called  “loosely associated youth groups”).   Retaliations cause a cycle of  problems and crimes.  The RPD does intervention as best as it can. 

If you look at the number of  incidents involving gunshot  victims,  it is at or below a 10 year low almost every month since last September.   2011 is 38% below last year in reports of shooting victims.

There does not appear to be an increase in gang activity.  There is an increase in intervention by the  Rochester Youth Intervention Program working  with Pathways to Peace, Parole, Probation, Camp Good Days, and  Strong.  These groups meet together once a month and try to go after people involved in acts of violence. 

John Borek, Committee Chair

Officer Dickerson presented basic burglary-proofing tips

 Burglary Prevention Tips

• Record all serial numbers of electronics (phones, televisions, VCRs, video games, power tools, lawn equipment, etc).  Use an address book to organize these.
• Secure your garbage toter.
• Do not assume any first floor window is too high for someone to get in.  Look for hose outlets, electric meters, gas inlets, or molding that someone could stand on.  Can I reach the window if I use your garbage toter/ outdoor furniture, etc?
• Be sure deadbolt extends at least 1 ½ inches into doorframe.
• Use long screws to secure locks into the doorframe. (3”)
• Make sure wood around the lock receiver is in good shape and use a metal strike plate. 
• Can deadbolt be reached/turned if a small window is broken or opened?
• If you use the double sided key deadbolt, keep key nearby, but in unusual spot (not hanging on the wood molding, right next to the lock!  Go for lower position)
• Be sure you have a way to see who is at the door before you open it (peephole, nearby window). Direct to other door if not.  Don’t ignore violators of this.
• Lock your door, even when mowing/ shoveling etc. 
• Light your yard at night.  (60 watt, 300 hours/month= 99 cents.)
• If you have storm doors, use them.  If locks are broken, install latch.
• Secure basement windows. Glass block runs about $125 a window, $2 for 2x4’s.
• Use “Charley-Bar” on sliding glass doors and windows.
• Use pins on vinyl windows to leave open.
  • On wood windows, nails work in place of pins.

• Make sure air conditioner cannot be pushed in or pulled out. 
• Never bar bedroom windows.
• Use curtains, drapes, or blinds on first floor windows, especially near holidays.
• Secure second floor windows if they can be accessed from porch, attached garage or other low roof, large tree branches, etc. 
• Keep shrubs below window level.
• Make sure house numbers are highly visible and in usual spot.
• Consider installing an alarm or even just putting the signs up.
• If you have an alarm- use it, always.
• Clean alarm panel: code may be obvious by which numbers are dirty.
• Make sure your alarm company has updated info.
• Make sure the alarm panel isn’t visible from a door or window.
• Hide true valuables in kid’s rooms or basements—burglars don’t generally look there. Kitchen, living room, bathroom and master bedroom-first hit.
• Get to know neighbors behind you.
• Keep cell charger on nightstand so cell phone is at your bedside at night.
• Keep car keys on nightstand if you have keyless entry.  You can hit the panic button if you awake to something happening. 
• Dog walkers notice things; don’t be afraid to call neighbors to report something.
• Know your mailman by name.
• Burglars don’t always look like crooks; they may have been to your house before for delivery or yard maintenance.
• Leaving a TV or radio on can serve as a good burglar deterrent.
• Dogs are great deterrents.   
• Use a baby monitor in areas you are concerned about.

• Neighborly behavior:
  • No unregistered/unsightly cars, boats, RVs.
  • No vehicles on lawn.
  • Dogs: keep them leashed and clean up after them.
  • Music: 50 feet daytime, property line at night.
  • Bring garbage toters back in a timely manner.
  • Keep yard free of trash and debris.

• Form a block club:
  • Meet openly, on a porch or in a yard.
  • Make phone list for everyone.
  • Invite everyone, including renters, landlords, businesses, etc.
  • Invite the police from time to time, not always.

Home Safety Event

Dan DeMarle and Adam discussed a home safety event that would show people how to secure their homes.  It was decided to have a meeting on Tuesday, September 6^th at 6:30PM at the NSC office.

Ravenwood : 

3 houses on one block have been stripped of copper.  As to Aberdeen incidents  arrests dedicated officers working the burglary beat have arrested some kids believed to be responsible.   Burglars who take copper are not kids. The City is attempting to work with the County to pass the same types of restrictions on second hand dealers. 

A problem in identifying thieves and in recovering property is that only the City has laws that monitor junk dealers and second hand stores.  Until the County gets tough, thieves will simply fence outside the City.

John Borek, Secretary

8/31/2011 Discussion was reposted  2/9/2014